Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Departments of Soil and Water Research, Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Training Center, AREEO, Isfahan, Iran

2 Shahrekord University

Abstract

Introduction
 Iranian shallot, scientifically known as Allium hirtifolium Boiss. is a perennial plant of the Allium genus and native to Iran. The Allium genus has many antioxidant properties due to its being rich in organic compounds of sulfur and phenol. The shallot is used to treat rheumatic and inflammatory pains, soothe superficial wounds, treat some stomach diseases, be antispasmodic, and also as a spice and flavoring in some foods. Considering the health benefits of shallot and its application in the food industry, shallot corms are harvested from the natural resources in different stages of growth. Therefore, it is necessary to preserve the natural habitats of shallot and also supply the market demand for this plant. It appears that the cultivation of shallots within agricultural systems could serve as a significant strategy for meeting the demands of the expanding global market. Furthermore, shallots are known for their low water requirements, making their cultivation a focal point in Isfahan province in recent years. Additionally, this crop stands out as a high-income generator in the region. Despite its economic potential, there has been limited research into optimizing the growth conditions for this valuable plant. Hence, this study aimed to explore the impact of urea and cow compost on the yield of Iranian shallots in the Fereydun Shahr region, focusing on the uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and nitrates.
 
Materials and Methods
 This research was carried out in the crop year of 1400-1401 in a field with an area of 300 square meters (32° 55' 53" N, 49° 56' 43" E) located in Fereydunshahr city of Isfahan province. The experiment was conducted according to a completely randomized design. Factorial arrangement of experimental treatments including two fertilization factors (urea and cow compost) was used. Plots with dimensions of 2 × 3 meters were created with a distance of 50 cm between the rows. The treatments were considered as urea fertilization at four levels (0, 120, 240 and, 360 kg ha-1) and cow compost treatment at three levels (0, 40 and, 60 tons ha-1). After plotting and applying cow compost treatments, shallot corms were planted at a depth of 10 to 15 cm in November 1400. Urea fertilizer treatment was applied in two stages, the first stage when the plant germinated (mid-April) and the second stage before flowering (second half of May). All treatments were applied in 3 replications. It should be noted that the treatments in this research are shown as 0-0 (control), 0-40, 0-60, 120-0, 120-40, 120-60, 240-0, 240-40, 240-60, 360-0, 360-40 and 360-60. The corms were harvested in June 1401 and the fresh and dry yield of the shallots was determined. The amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and, potassium in shallots was measured. Nitrate concentration was also measured in the harvested corms based on the Iranian national standard No. 4106. The nitrogen, phosphorus and, potassium uptake by shallots was obtained from the product of yield and the concentration of these elements. Results were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedure and the means were compared using the protected least significant difference (LSD) test at р < 0.05 probability level using SAS 9.3 software.
 
Results and Discussion
 The results showed that the combined use of chemical fertilizer (urea) and cow compost has a significant effect on the shallot yield increment, as the highest yield was obtained in the combined treatment of urea fertilizer 240 (kg ha-1) and cow compost 40 (ton ha-1) application. Although the highest nitrogen concentration and uptake were observed in the treatment of 360 (kg ha-1) of urea along with 60 (ton ha-1) of cow compost, it was not significantly different from the treatment of 240-40 (the treatment with the highest yield). In general, the concentration of shallots nitrate was much lower than the permissible limit according to the national standard of Iran No. 16596. The highest nitrate concentration (24.63 mg kg-1 of fresh weight) was observed in the combined treatment of 120 (kg ha-1) of urea and 60 (ton ha-1) of cow compost application (120-60), which was significantly higher than other treatments. On the other hand, the concentration of shallots nitrate in the 240-40 treatment was significantly lower than the treatments of 360 kg of urea per hectare along with 40 or 60 (ton ha-1) of cow compost.
 
Conclusion
 According to the results, to achieve the best yield, the most suitable level of urea application was 240 kg ha-1 and the best level of cow compost was 40 ton ha-1. It seems, utilization more amounts of urea or cow compost will only cause additional costs to the farmer and a waste of capital. Moreover, it can increase environmental pollution and nitrate concentration of product, which cause to quality decrement.
 

Keywords

Main Subjects

  1. Aalipour, H., Nikbakht, A., & Etemadi, N. (2020). Biochemical response and interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria during establishment and stimulating growth of Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica G.) under drought stress. Scientia Horticulturae, 261, 108923. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2019.108923
  2. Anonymous. (2022). Organization of Agriculture Jahad, Isfahan.
  3. Anonymous. a. (2021). Agricultural products -Maximum level for nitrate and test method, INSO 16596. 1st revision. Iranian National Standardization Organization.
  4. Anonymous. b. (2021). Test method for measuring nitrite and nitrate in fruits and vegetables and their products through molecular interferometry. NO, 4106. Iranian National Standardization Organization.
  5. Amirkhani, R., Arouiee, H., & Ghasemi pirbalooti, A. (2022). Effect of the Application of chemical, organic and biological fertilizers on yield and biochemical traits of Iranian shallot. Journal of Agroecology, 15(1), 31-49. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22067/AGRY.2021.69445.1030
  6. Arefi, I., Kafi, M., Khazaie, H., & Bannayan Aval, M. (2012). Effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertiliaer levels on yield, photosynthetic rate, photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll content and nitrogen concentration of plant components of Allium altissimum Regal. Journal of Agroecology, 4(3), 207-214. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22067/JAGV4I3.15309
  7. Arefkhani, M., Kheirkhah, M., Ghorbanzadeh Naghab, M., & Babaeian, M. (2016). Effect of initial weight of shallot Bulb and farm manure on reproduction and shallot yield (Allium altissimum Regel.) in Shirvan climate. Journal of Agroecology, 9(3),749-759. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22067/JAG.V9I3.50987
  8. Askari-Khorasgani, O., & Pessarakli M. 2019. Agricultural management and environmental requirements for production of true shallot seeds – a review. Advances in Plants & Agriculture Research, 9(2), 318-322. https://doi.org/10.15406/apar.2019.09.00441
  9. Bertola, M., Ferrarini, A., & Visioli, G. (2021). Improvement of soil microbial diversity through sustainable agricultural practices and its evaluation by-omics approaches: A perspective for the environment, food quality and human safety. Microorganisms, 9(7), 1400. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9071400
  10. Davazdahemami, S. (2021). Allium hirtifolium Boiss. Production. Publication No. 59710. Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands. Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO).
  11. Ershadi, A., Noori, M., Dashti, F., & Bayat, F. (2010). Effect of different nitrogen fertilizer on yield, pungency and nitrate accumulation in garlic (Allium sativum). Acta Horticultural, 853(15), 135-138. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2010.853.15
  12. Farhadi, N., & Alizadeh Salte, S. (2017). The effect of forchlorfenuron on bulblet formation, antioxidant characteristics and phytochemicals compounds on Persian shallot (Allium hirtifolium). Journal of Horticultural Science, 31(3), 565-576. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22067/JHORTS4.V31I3.56997
  13. Fritsch, R.M., & Abbasi, M. (2013). A taxonomic review of Allium subg. Melanocrommyum in Iran. IPK Gatersleben. ISBN 978-3-9813096-3-8
  14. Jafari-Mofidabadi, A., & Rezaee, M.B. (2015). Domestication of Persian shallot (Allium hirtifolium) as cultivated crop. Journal of Medicinal Plants and By-products, 4(1), 9-12. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22092/JMPB.2015.108885
  15. Kafi, M., Rezvan Beydokhti, Sh., & Sanjani, S. (2012). Effect of sowing date and plant density on yield and morphophysiological traits of Perssian shallot (Allium altissimum Regel) in Mashhad climate condition. Journal of Horticultural Science, 25(3), 310-319. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22067/JHORTS4.V1390I0.11338
  16. Khanmohammadi, Z., Khoshgoftarmanesh, A.H., & Melali, A.H. (2010). Methods of plant analysis. Academic Jihad Publishing Center, Isfahan Industrial Unit.
  17. Kheirkhah, M., Mohammadkhani, F., & Ghorbanzadeh, M. (2017). The effect of different levels of phosphorus fertilizer and different planting density on yield and yield component of Persian shallot (Allium altissimum Regel.). Plant Ecophysiology, 8(27), 174-181. (In Persian with English abstract)
  18. Knudsen, D., Peterson, G.A., & Pratt, P.F. (1982). Lithium, sodium, and potassium. PP. 225–246. In: A. L. Page, R.H. Miller, D. R. Keeney (Eds.), Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 2, Chemical Methods, SSSA/ASA, Madison, Wisconsin.
  19. Mansor Bahmani, S., Saffari, V.R., & Maghsoudi Moud, A.A. (2014). Effect of the amount and time of partitioning of nitrogen fertilizer on the yield and nitrate content of onion in out-season production in Jiroft. Journal of Horticultural Science, 27(4), 400-410. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22067/JHORTS4.V0I0.30582
  20. Mansouri, H., Banayan Aval, M., Rezvani Moghaddam, P., & Lakzian, A. (2015). Management of nitrogen, irrigation and planting density in Persian shallot (Allium hirtifolium) by using central composite optimizing method. Journal of Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production, 24(4-1), 41-60. (In Persian with English abstract)
  21. Olsen, S.R., & Sommers, L.E. (1982). Phosphorus. PP. 403–430. In: Page, A. L., R. H. Miller and D. R. Keeney (Eds.), Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 2: Chemical Methods. Agronomy Monographs, SSSA/ASA, Madison, Wisconsin.
  22. Panahandeh, J., Farhadi, N., Motallebi Azar, A., & Alizadeh Salte, S. (2016). Evaluation of Persian shallot (Allium hirtifolium) ecotypes for phytochemical components and antioxidant activity. Journal of Medicinal Plants and By-products, 5(2), 217-226. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22092/JMPB.2016.109399
  23. Pire, R., Ramirez, H., Riera, J., & Gómez de, T.N. (2001). Removal of N, P, K and Ca by an onion crop (Allium cepa L.) in a silty-clay soil, in a semiarid region of Venezuela. Acta Horticulturae, 555, 103-109. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2001.555.12
  24. Sharif Rohani, M., Kafi, M., & Nezami, A. (2014). The effect of irrigation regime and sowing depth on yield and yield components of Persian shallot (Allinum altissimum Regel.) in Mashhad climate conditions. Journal of Agroecology, 6(2), 219-228. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22067/JAG.V6I2.39364
  25. Shrestha, J., Shah, K.K., & Timsina, K.P. (2020). Effects of different fertilizers on growth and productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.): A review. International Journal of Global Science Research, 7(1), 1291-1301. https://doi.org/10.26540/ijgsr.v7.i1.2020.151
  26. Siedt, M., Schaffer, A., Smith, K.E., Nabel, M., Rob-Nickoll, M., & van Dongen, J.T. (2021). Comparing straw, compost, and biochar regarding their suitability as agricultural soil amendments to affect soil structure, nutrient leaching, microbial communities, and the fate of pesticides. Science of the Total Environment, 751(1), 141607.
  27. Tucker, D.E., Allen, D.J., & Ort, D.R. (2004). Control of nitrate reductase by circadian and diurnal rhythms in tomato. Planta, 219(2), 277-285. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-004-1213-x
  28. Yang, S., Peng, S., Xu, J., He, Y., & Wang, Y. (2015). Effects of water saving irrigation and controlled release nitrogen fertilizer managements on nitrogen losses from paddy fields. Paddy and Water Environment, 13, 71-80. https://10.1007/s10333-013-0408-9
  29. Zhao, R.F., Chen, X.P., Zhang, F.S., Zhang, H., Schroder, J., & Romheld, V. (2006). Fertilization and nitrogen balance in a wheat -maize rotation system in North China. Agronomy Journal, 98, 935-945.

 

 

 

 

CAPTCHA Image